Namco takes platforming to the next
level, all the while keeping its feet
planted firmly in tradition
There's nothing like a good platformer. I
absolutely adore them, but it's rare that I
fine one that I really like (probably
because I'm so hard on them). However,
Namco's new title Klonoa (shortened from
the much more verbose Japanese name,
Kaze no Klonoa -- Door to Phantomile)
grabbed my attention right from the
get-go.
Klonoa is a track-based 2D game,
resembling Pandemonium in more ways
than one. Both have the branching paths
and rotating cameras, and both have
similar level elements, such as gusts of air
to carry you from platform to platform.
However, Klonoa's look is much cleaner
than Pandemonium's, offering crisp and
clean polygonal environments and
pre-rendered sprite characters. Klonoa
also makes better use of the depth of
field, incorporating some 3D elements
The game
seems aimed
at kids, what
with its
super-cute
characters
and squeaky
voices.
Klonoa
himself is a queer little fellow, sort of a cat
with hands on the ends of his ears. These
ears come in handy as they give him extra
lift when jumping. Yes, there's jumping (it
wouldn't be a platformer without it), but
no, you can't jump on enemies' heads.
Bad guys in Klonoa are killed by grabbing
and
throwing
them, into
the air or at
each other.
The two
elements of
jumping
and grabbing may seem pretty basic, but
the magic of Klonoa lies in all the different
ways they're incorporated into the game.
Once an enemy is
in your clutches,
they can be used to
serve you in a
number of ways.
Certain items can
only be obtained by
being hit with an enemy. Also,
double-jumping while holding a bad guy
gets you up higher then normal, enabling
you to reach certain prizes.
Klonoa is gameplay,
plain and simple. The
kiddy overtones may
hurt the game in the
US, but true gamers will
most likely see through
this. If you like
platformers like I do,
keep $50 free in your bank
account this February.
SCORE